Machine for filling containers with a liquid substance

Abstract

In a machine ( 1 ) for filling containers with a liquid substance, a rotating head ( 2 ) is carried rotatingly by a stationary structure ( 3 ) and a liquid substance delivering chamber ( 4 ) is made inside the rotating head ( 2 ). A plurality of distributors ( 6 ) are arranged along the edge of the rotating head ( 2 ) for delivering the liquid substance to filling nozzles ( 7 ) associated with the rotating head ( 2 ). A basin ( 30 ) is associated to the stationary structure ( 3 ) for collecting a sterilizing liquid introduced into the distributors ( 6 ) and flowing in the nozzles ( 7 ) for sterilizing, by washing, the distributors ( 6 ) and the nozzles ( 7 ). The basin ( 30 ) is closed by a cover ( 32 ), fastened to the rotating head ( 2 ). A plurality of vertical tubes ( 34 ) pass tightly through the cover ( 32 ) and extend inside the basin ( 30 ), so as to be connected to the nozzles ( 7 ) and to the distributors ( 6 ) by flexible pipes ( 25 A, 25 B).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A machine ( 1 ) for filling containers with a liquid substance, the machine including: 
       a rotating head ( 2 ) carried rotatingly by a stationary structure ( 3 );  
       a liquid substance delivering chamber ( 4 ) made inside said a rotating head ( 2 );  
       at least one distributor ( 6 ) arranged along the edge of said rotating head ( 2 ) for delivering the liquid substance;  
       at least one filling nozzle ( 7 ) associated with said rotating head ( 2 ) and connected with said distributor ( 6 );  
       the machine being characterized in that it includes:  
       container means ( 30 ) associated to said stationary structure ( 3 ) for collecting a sterilizing liquid introduced into said distributor ( 6 ) and flowing in the corresponding filling nozzle ( 7 );  
       covering means ( 100 ) applicable to said container means ( 30 ) for closing tightly said container means ( 30 );  
       conveying means ( 34 , 25 A, 25 B) for conveying said sterilizing liquid substance, said conveying means being connected to said covering means ( 100 ) and associated to said nozzle ( 7 ) and to said distributor ( 6 ) for connecting tightly said nozzle ( 7 ) and said distributor ( 6 ) with said container means ( 30 ).  
     
     
       2. A machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein said container means ( 30 ) include: 
       a basin ( 30 ) collecting said sterilizing liquid substance and said covering means ( 100 ) include a cover ( 32 ) fastened to said rotating head ( 2 );  
       operating means for moving said basin ( 30 ) between a lowered opening position (A) and a raised closing position (C), in which it goes in abutment against said cover ( 32 );  
       a seal ( 33 ) interposed between said basin and said cover.  
     
     
       3. A machine, according to  claim 2 , wherein said cover ( 32 ) is equipped with a seal ( 33 ), substantially a plate-like seal engaging edges of said basin ( 30 ). 
     
     
       4. A machine, according to  claim 1 , wherein said distributor ( 6 ) includes: 
       a cylindrical sleeve ( 8 );  
       a piston ( 9 ) sliding inside said sleeve ( 8 );  
       a ring-like area ( 18 ) defined in a lower part of said cylindrical sleeve ( 8 );  
       at least one discharge hole ( 11 ) made in said ring-like area ( 18 );  
       a duct ( 12 ) connected with said discharge hole ( 11 ) and connected to said container means ( 30 ) by said conveying means ( 25 A).  
     
     
       5. A machine, according to  claim 4 , wherein said duct ( 12 ) is defined by a cap ( 13 ), which incorporates the base of said cylindrical sleeve ( 8 ), with a stem ( 19 ) of said piston ( 9 ) passing axially and tightly through said cap ( 13 ), said cap ( 13 ) defining, under said cylindrical sleeve ( 8 ), a chamber ( 14 ), set in communication with said duct ( 12 ) through a discharge hole ( 16 ). 
     
     
       6. A machine, according to  claim 1 , further including a device ( 50 ) for washing each of said filling nozzles ( 7 ), said device ( 50 ) including: 
       a collar ( 21 ) with a lower part closed and with an upper part fastened tightly to said rotating head ( 2 ), said collar ( 21 ) being coupled with the nozzle ( 7 );  
       a first space (I 1 ) defined between the outer cylindrical edge surface (SP) and said collar ( 21 ), with a lower part of said first space (I 1 ) communicating with said nozzle ( 7 );  
       a tubular sheath ( 22 ) with an upper part fastened tightly to said rotating head ( 2 ), said tubular sheath ( 22 ) containing said collar ( 21 ), said tubular sheath ( 22 ) together with said collar ( 21 ) defining a second space (I 2 ) set in communication with said first space (I 1 ) by at least one through hole ( 23 ) made in the upper part of said collar ( 21 );  
       said tubular sheath ( 22 ) forming in its lower part a joint ( 26 ) for connecting with said conveying means.  
     
     
       7. A machine, according to  claim 6 , wherein a hole ( 24 ) of small diameter, is made in the lower head of said collar ( 21 ), so as to allow to drain possible accumulated condensed liquid.